It is 10.15am. I’m waiting for the bus to Douglas Shopping Centre, which is late, but mild mortification prevents me from walking — even if it’s only 10 minutes.
It’s not what a Mob Wife does. Nor is taking public transportation come to think of it. So far, I’m not doing such a great job.
Let me explain. I’m on a mission of sorts — to find out whether TikTok aesthetics are an excuse to play dress-up or an opportunity to explore personal style. The video-sharing app that entertained us during the pandemic with silly dances and banana bread has since evolved into a platform for fast-moving fashion micro-trends or aesthetics, also known as ‘cores’.
Last year, viral buzzwords like Quiet Luxury, Barbiecore, and Coastal Grandma dominated the style lexicon, each with prescriptive pieces to inspire instantly recognisable looks. Perhaps I’m just a disgruntled Gen Xer, but I prefer to choose my own style adventure. Why can’t I be a Quiet Coastal Barbie? Why should the algorithm say what goes? Well, there is only one way to find out.
I’m giving myself a task: to wear three of 2024’s trending aesthetics, each for a day — Mob Wife, Balletcore, and Eclectic Grandpa. I will rate them by what I find most and least appealing, how others react and how confident I feel. Mob Wife I start with Mob Wife — TikTok’s most controversial aesthetic.
A reaction to the beige bloodline of Quiet Luxury, Mob Wife is conspicuous in her consumption: big earrings, big fur, big ha.